CINCINNATI—Two years ago at this time, the Cincinnati Bengals had the top two diva receivers in the league—Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens. They also were in the midst of a 10-game losing streak, during which Owens complained about not getting the ball and Johnson was called mopey by head coach Marvin Lewis.

Now, Lewis has to struggle to hear his star wide receiver. Instead of viewing Wednesdays and Thursdays as his chance to vent and throw out one-liners to the media, A.J. Green lets his stats speak for themselves. Going into Thursday night’s game at Philadelphia, the Bengals receiver is tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (10), is eighth in receptions (76) and sixth in yards (1,151).

But numbers are the least of Green’s concerns. To him, the only thing that matters is getting the Bengals (7-6) back-to-back postseason trips for the first time in 30 years.

“I don't really pay attention to all of that stuff until the end of the season,” Green said. “Toward the end of the season, I'll be like, ‘All right, I did OK.’ But until then, I will stay on this grind with my head down and keep playing.”

In two years, Green already has solidified himself as one of the league's elite receivers. He is the top vote getter among wideouts for the Pro Bowl and is sixth among all NFL players. While Lions star Calvin Johnson, with whom Green trained in Atlanta during the offseason, receives much of the acclaim, Green is the only player in NFL history to top 100 receptions, 1,500 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his first 20 games.

The low-profile style has served Green well. While Chad Johnson, who holds many of the Bengals’ receiving records, was a roller-coaster of emotions, Green stays the same in good times and bad.

In last Sunday’s 20-19 loss to Dallas, Green had perhaps his worst game in the league. He had just three catches for 44 yards but also had a pair of drops, including one inside the Cowboys’ 5 that was a sure touchdown. Green being Green, he accepted blame for the defeat. He did not sulk.

“I just took my eyes off it. It’s unusual for me, but I guess it happens sometimes,” Green said after the game. “I’m not going to beat myself up about it, but I’ve got to do better. At this time of year, with us fighting for the playoffs, I’ve got to be getting better every week.”

Added quarterback Andy Dalton: “I’m not worried about A.J. He has done so much for this team, and he’s capable of doing a lot more. I don’t think his confidence will suffer. He’ll be ready to go in Philadelphia.”

Green’s anti-diva attitude was also visible in Week 7. Whereas Johnson would have called out his quarterback for only getting one reception, Green talked about the need to do better after he had only one catch—an 8-yard touchdown—in a loss to Pittsburgh.

While offensive coordinator Jay Gruden may second-guess himself for not targeting Green more, his receiver isn’t about to do that.

The biggest reason Green doesn’t feel a sense of entitlement is because of his parents. Dora and Woodrow Green attended the first training camp practice in Cincinnati earlier this year. Instead of sitting in a VIP section set up by the club for team family members and sponsors, they took their place in the crowd.

“That’s them. That speaks volumes for why he’s the way he is,” Lewis said. “I marvel at him in everything he does. He’s a godsend of a person that way. He’s just got the right stuff.”

In a season full of highlight grabs for Green, including a one-handed touchdown against double-coverage in Week 11 at Kansas City, receivers coach James Urban said Green was most excited about running the proper route depth for a pass he snagged against Jacksonville in Week 4.

That play also was highlight-worthy because Green needed to get full extension, along with a good deal of hang time, to lay out to catch it.

“It sounds funny, but the thing we’re most proud of is he took all the steps he was supposed to take on that route,” Urban said. “That’s a route in the past he’s cut short and he’s taken five steps. He took all seven steps on it and as soon as everyone is hooting and hollering, I was like, ‘You took all seven steps.’ And he said. ‘Yeah coach, I told you I took seven.’ ”

Besides being more precise on routes, Green has shown he can do the dirty work when needed. In a Week 13 win at San Diego, Green had nine receptions for 85 yards, with nearly half of those catches coming after he lined up in the slot.

Green said he thought it was another step in his evolution to becoming a more complete receiver.

If the Bengals are going to get back to the playoffs, he is going to have to carry the passing game on his shoulders. The good thing is that he looks relatively healthy going into a stretch run that includes games against the Eagles, Steelers and Ravens.

One thing we can expect from Green is that he is going to approach his job the same way every day.

“You play this game, you can't get too high on yourself, you can't get too low on yourself,” he said. “I stay even keel no matter what, no matter what's going on. Anything in life I don't let anything bother me. You only live once.”